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Two of the major causes of death for pet reptiles are Metabolic Bone Illness and stress. Both can be caused by insufficient lighting in the reptile’s habitat.
Diurnal species (active during the day) require a UVB bulb. Species such as tortoises and Bearded Dragons need UVB to help them create vitamin D3 which is in turn used for creating calcium for strong bones and healthy growth.
Species that are native to forests and jungles such as Iguanas and Chameleons have a medium UVB requirement so a 5.0-6.0 bulb is suitable. Desert dwelling species such as Bearded Dragons and Tortoises require a high level of UV, so a 10.0-12.0 bulb is required. Leopard Geckos and other nocturnal reptiles need a low level 2.0 UV bulb to recreate a more natural habitat.
Lighting must be set up to accommodate your pet’s sleep cycle. For this reason, it is not possible to keep a nocturnal reptile in the same aquarium as an animal which is awake during the day.
